In this activity, learners replicate the scientific processes of observing, forming an explanation, revising and communicating about a model of a comet. Learners construct a model of features of a comet using an assortment of common craft supplies....(View More) This activity relates to several NASA comet missions such as Deep Impact, Stardust, Stardust-NExT, and EPOXI and can be used to emulate a process that scientists and engineers follow on all missions.(View Less)

Learners will explore the difference between natural and artificial satellites and use images taken by robotic spacecraft and telescopes to gain an understanding of the Earth's place in space. Requires the books "Me on the Map" by Joan Sweeney and...(View More) "My Place in Space" by Robin and Sally Hirst. This is lesson 1 of 16 in the MarsBots learning module.(View Less)

In this learning activity, students create a 3D model of part of their local landscape, then make a series of observations from different directions. Using the bird's eye view, they translate the 3D model into a 2D map with a scale and key, and...(View More) explore concepts related to remote sensing, including scale, resolution, and perspective. This is one of three Odyssey of the Eyes activities, part of the Land Cover Biology chapter of the GLOBE Teacher's Guide. Resource includes a student worksheet.(View Less)

This is a lesson about the Cassini mission to Saturn. Learners will create their Saturn Discovery Logs. They will use the Saturn Discovery Log to chronicle their journey of discovery about Saturn and Cassini through nonfiction writing. For their...(View More) first log entry, students will draw what they picture when they hear the words "Saturn" and "Cassini," and add labels and captions to their drawings. Students will share their work with partners. This is lesson 1 of 12 in "Reading, Writing & Rings!" for grades 3-4.(View Less)

In this activity, learners will build a structure using a shoebox, aluminum foil, paper, rubber bands, glue, tape, and other common materials that will meet the following criteria when tested: 1) protect an ice cube from melting under a hot lamp or...(View More) direct sunlight; 2) protect an egg from fracture when dropped from a height of ten feet; and 3) cost as little as possible. These tasks relate to the overarching concepts of space as a hostile environment, engineering that is needed to build and launch astronomical instruments, and testing of spacecraft and instrument models. This activity is from the Touch the Sun educator guide.(View Less)

In this activity, students simulate how light collected from a space object converts into binary data and reconverts into an image of the object. A pencil and paper activity demonstrates how astronomical spacecraft and computers create images of...(View More) objects in space. This activity is part of Unit 4 in the Space Based Astronomy guide that contains background information, worksheets, assessments, extensions, and standards.(View Less)